IU South Bend graduate student, Master of Social Work

South Bend native Yolanda Lozano is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree because she knows it will help lead her to the career she desires. “I get more fulfillment out of a job where I can help others improve their quality of life,” Lozano says. “It also seems like a good fit because counseling just seems to come naturally to me. That is probably because my mother is a social worker, and I've been raised to really think about the quality of my own mental health.”

Lozano, 27, is taking classes at IU South Bend this fall that apply toward her master’s degree, and she’ll apply to the Master of Social Work Program next semester.

Before arriving at IU South Bend, Lozano obtained a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from IU Bloomington and is one Spanish class away from completing a Bachelor of Arts in communication and culture. She works part time as an addictions counselor and will soon be applying to become a certified drug and alcohol counselor through the state of Indiana. She also owns a small business working part time as an AutoCAD drafter/interior designer. 

This academic year, she hopes to volunteer in the South Bend community. “I have always found volunteering to be a rewarding experience,” Lozano says. She doesn’t anticipate having time to join clubs, though, because she has two part-time jobs, multiple hobbies, and a new home in addition to school. Lozano would like to attend arts and cultural events offered on the IU South Bend campus.

After earning her master’s degree, Lozano wants to start her own addictions treatment center or her version of a community center.